Final answer:
The acronym TULIP represents the five points of Calvinism which affirm a theology based on predestination, a doctrine that states that salvation is preordained by God and not influenced by human actions or merits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The five points of Calvinism, summarized by the acronym TULIP, are an embodiment of a theological perspective based on predestination. This theology, which originated with John Calvin in Geneva during the Protestant Reformation, holds that God has already chosen who will receive salvation and who will not, irrespective of individual merit or actions. The acronym TULIP stands for Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints. This reflects the Calvinist belief that humans are inherently sinful (Total depravity), God chooses who will be saved without regard to any conditions (Unconditional election), Christ's atonement is limited to the elect (Limited atonement), those chosen by God cannot resist grace (Irresistible grace), and the elect will remain in faith till the end (Perseverance of the saints).
Calvinism contrasts with other religious theories like Arminianism, which allows for free will, and Pelagianism, which denies original sin and affirms the capacity of human beings to achieve salvation on their own. Calvinism's focus on predestination thus differentiates it significantly from other theologies, such as Humanism, which emphasizes human agency. The influence of Calvinist thought extended into the social and cultural practices of its adherents who frequently sought signs of their own election and were known for their extremely disciplined lifestyle in hopes of reflecting their state of grace.